Forming part of the Kianga Ora’s Oranga Development Masterplan(Stage 3), Rockfield Apartments by Fletcher Living responds to the changing needs of the Oranga neighbourhood. Rockfield Apartments is a 3-storey 42-unit apartment development with parking and landscaped amenity – responding to the existing and future development intensity of its immediate context. The development consists of a mix of apartment typologies inclusive of KiwiBuild and market apartments, aimed to provide a balance of dwelling sizes and a mixed resident community.

Working closely with Fletcher Living development managers and urban designers, the brief was to meet the requirements stipulated by Kainga Ora under the masterplan, whilst also being aspirational and attractive, catering to a broad range of future residents.

The predominant existing feature on the site is a large Pohutukawa Tree, located along the Rockfield Road frontage, the mass and overall design responds to this substantial feature, whilst not protected was to be retained. The mass of the building is set off the street road boundary, with the plan seemingly wrapping the tree. The building is further emphasised by its materiality. The building layout is rational in plan, and well considered, with two distinct cores with direct and legible links to Rockfield Road. The carparking is to the rear of the site, with ample bike parking for both resident and visitors.

Themass of the building is sympathetic to its private neighbours, with consideration in plan of outlook and reduction of overlooking through the employment of various architectural devices. Apartments are configured to improve CPTED outcomes globally across the site, with apartments looking out across walkways and roading networks, whilst enjoying generous outdoor living spaces.  

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The project also achieves principles ofHomeStar V4.1.6 star. The project team worked closely with BXG to align theproject with Homestar V4.1.6 objectives and employ design strategies to achievehomestar compliance. This included targeting key areas such as – density andresource efficiency, thermal performance, efficient space heating, passive andactive ventilation, minimising condensation and provision of EV charging. BXG’sanalysis on the building design concluded that all dwellings were on track toachieve compliance with the EHC-1 requirements for a Homestar 6 rating (climatezone 1).

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